The Ministry of Defence and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences signed a cooperation agreement on Monday, July 12th, confirming the financial support for the Ventspils International Radioastronomy Centre (VIRAC). In addition, the agreement states that the Ministry of Defence will cover a part of VIRAC's maintenance costs for the next three years.



According to the agreement, the Ministry of Defence will allocate no more than EUR 1 050 000 (EUR 350 000 per year) to cover VIRAC maintenance costs from 2021 until 2023 partially.

VUAS rector PhD Kārlis Krēsliņš emphasised that this financial support will allow VIRAC to improve satellite communication and progress in this direction practically. “We will gladly research on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. We have the inherited radio telescopes and a LOFAR station, which VIRAC can use for Ministry of Defence needs, such as determining when storms or other cataclysms would occur, etc. Furthermore, this cooperation agreement creates the path for joint training in the Earth Satellite and Cosmos Technology field, which we could provide to the Latvian National Armed Forces or Latvian National Defence Academy through study programs,” noted the VUAS rector.

“We recognise the significance of this heritage. In this way, the defence field has contributed to the development of Latvia's industry and science. The military has always been connected to the advancement of information and technology. We want both our country and our armed forces to be modern.  If others do not see a future for it [investments], we do. After VIRAC and the Ministry of Defence signed the agreement, we will allocate funds for this research if others do not go into depth on these issues,” said defence minister Artis Pabriks.

The VIRAC's Director, Aleksejs Klokovs, also attended the signing and stated that VIRAC scientists are ready to work on fundamental science research and satellite technology projects. The financing from the Ministry of Defence will assure that the ongoing work will be able to continue.

On April 30th, Minister of Defence Artis Pabriks paid a visit to the VIRAC radio telescopes in Irbene and signed a letter of intent with the Rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences for collaboration in the usage of the radio telescope infrastructure. On June 29th, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the transfer of defence budget funding to pay a portion of the Irbene radio telescope's maintenance costs.